Celebrate the many folk crafts of Southern Appalachia with our skilled demonstrators! Foxfire offers studio spaces to artisans who keep these traditions alive and share their skills through classes and demonstrations.
Each demonstrator has their own schedule; feel free to call to check their availability: 706.746.5828
From spinning to rigid heddle weaving to ice dyeing, artist Kelly Coldren does it all. A long-time friend and educator at Foxfire, Kelly is an expert across a wide range of Fiber Arts and weaving. Interested in learning more? Contact Kelly at kellycoldren@ymail.com to schedule your own private workshop!
Kelly offers classes listed in our Heritage Skills section and can often be found in the Tiger House, demonstrating various Fiber-related arts and skills.
Sharon Grist is Foxfire’s first artist-in-residence. She has been weaving since 1979, and she also spins and dyes with natural materials. A life-long educator, Sharon teaches spinning and weaving and her beautiful work has been displayed not only at Foxfire but in various guilds across the South. Sharon offers a variety of classes in our Heritage Skills program.
Sharon can often be found at the “weaving” Tiger Cabin and loves to share her expertise.
Les Barnett, known locally as the Canjo Man, specializes in making instruments from recycled cans, pans, cigar boxes, and Moonpie tins. Having worked for years in the IT industry, these days Les offers his musical and instrument-building talents through our Heritage Skills Classes. Come visit Foxfire and one of the first things you will often hear is the sound of Les’ strumming from the porch of the Gott Cabin.
Paula Puckett teaches hand-sewing and basketmaking in Foxfire’s Heritage Skills Classes. Participants learn how to weave traditional berry or potato baskets, and create quilted mug mats or bookmarks from fabric scraps. With a focus on simple techniques and meaningful projects, Paula helps keep these everyday Appalachian skills alive for a new generation.